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Paws Atlanta Incorporated

EIN 58-6074088 · Decatur, GA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood82 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PAWS ATLANTA, INC. (THE "ORGANIZATION") IS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT, 501(C)(3) ANIMAL WELFARE ORGANIZATION FOUNDED IN 1967, ORIGINALLY AS THE DEKALB HUMANE SOCIETY. IT WAS ORGANIZED UNDER THE LAWS OF GEORGIA AND REGISTERED A NAME CHANGE WITH THE GEORGIA SECRETARY OF STATE IN EARLY 2003. PAWS ATLANTA, INC. IS A NO-KILL ANIMAL SHELTER THAT PROVIDES LOVE, NUTRITION, MEDICAL CARE, AND BEHAVIORAL TRAINING TO ENRICH THE LIVES OF HOMELESS ANIMALS UNTIL PERMANENT, SAFE HOMES CAN BE FOUND. THE MISSION OF PAWS ATLANTA, INC. IS TO BUILD A COMMUNITY OF CARING BY PEOPLE HELPING PETS AND PETS HELPING PEOPLE. THE ORGANIZATION DELIVERS ON THIS MISSION BY OFFERING PET ADOPTION SERVICES, SPAY AND NEUTER CLINICS, PET VACCINE CLINICS, BEHAVIORAL TRAINING, PET DENTAL CLINICS, HEALTH PREVENTATIVES, A PET FOOD BANK, EDUCATION THROUGH SUMMER CAMPS FOR YOUTH AND EDUCATION THROUGH COMMUNITY OUTREACH. THE MAJORITY OF THE ORGANIZATION'S REVENUES COME FROM PROGRAM FEES, DONATIONS, AND FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES. THE ORGANIZAT

Income
$2.1 million
Spending
$2.2 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
8.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 85%
Employees
29
Volunteers
500
Highest pay
$81,344, exec directo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $1.6 million spent. PAWS ATLANTA IS ONE OF THE VERY FEW NO-KILL NONPROFIT ANIMAL SHELTERS IN GEORGIA. IT IS OUR MISSION TO BUILD A COMMUNITY OF CARING BY PEOPLE HELPING PETS AND PETS HELPING PEOPLE. WE ACCOMPLISH THIS BY OFFERING: PET ADOPTION SERVICES, PET VACCINATION CLINICS, HEALTH PREVENTATIVES, A PET FOOD BANK, AND EDUCATION THROUGH COMMUNITY OUTREACH TO THE METRO ATLANTA AREA.
  2. $60,865 spent. PAWS ATLANTA PROVIDES AFFORDABLE PET WELLNESS CLINICS TO THE PUBLIC. ALL OF THE SERVICES OFFERED BY PAWS ATLANTA ARE FOCUSED ON PROVIDING FOR THE HUMANE TREATMENT OF ANIMALS AND EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON RESPONSIBLE PET OWNERSHIP.
  3. $40,782 spent. DEPRECIATION

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since August 1968.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.